Year 9 and 10

MIDDLE TEAM LEARNING PHILOSOPHY

The Connected Curriculum approach to teaching and learning in Years 9 and 10 looks a little different to what students experienced in Years 7 and 8. Our approach means that students move between specialist teachers and requires all the learning areas to contribute towards key understandings, to make links between their subject and what is taught and learnt in other subjects. We believe that students “seeing” connections between the subject areas enables them to make sense of their learning and therefore better able to understand and apply the concepts. We believe that this philosophy is an integral part of the New Zealand Curriculum and work to embrace the key competencies, values and principles embedded in it.

The Middle Team which comprises of Heather Tucker (Deputy Principal), Linda Bigge,  Carolyn Graveson, Jo Howell, Isobel Shepherd and Kevin Wall  (along with the Year 9 Dean), has responsibility for assisting students to make the transition from Year 8 into the secondary area of the school and prepares students to go into Year 11.

As a team we are also committed to promoting excellence. We not only recognise academic achievement but also those students who achieve at a high level in any other aspect of their school life.  To enable students to achieve at their best we work to address any attendance concerns.

We also believe in giving our students as many opportunities as possible and have worked to recognise and provide leadership opportunities for those students with potential in this area. This also applies to sporting and cultural activities.

A future focus is important to us and we promote careers education and encourage students to take advantage of the open days and work experience opportunities.

We want our students to value themselves and their culture. We highlight the value of education and encourage students to become lifelong learners.

We appreciate the role of parents, caregivers and the community in contributing to the education of our students and value the opportunity to work alongside them for the betterment of our young people.